Spirit Path is a god(s) sent for any generation, any being, from any walks of life. The opportunity and the
discipline that we are provided is an ever present momentum that impacts our lives in any way we feel ready for,
even (or especially) without our logical insight. The Spirit is everywhere, and SPP makes sure that everyone and
everything gets a face to face introduction. The level we choose to get to know our true self without illusions is
up to us of course, but this journey helps open our eyes to such an opportunity. Everyone, and I mean everyone,
walks on forward with a new admiration for life.
- Maria
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A brief, slightly abstract description of my very personal impression of the retreat, with apologies for any
melodramatic overtones.
by Janusz Wozny, South Africa
Maybe the first thing someone might like to know is whether or not I found it worthwhile, i.e. worth the cost of
my money, my time and my energy. The answer is a loud, unconditional YES. I did not go with any hopes or expectations
of anything specific relating to my health or spiritual well being. What I was perhaps anticipating was the effect
of a completely unfamiliar event, pushing me out of my comfort zone, an external force to nudge me into the awesome
unknown. The prospect seemed terrifyingly exciting. But the retreat was so much more.
The setting is definitely a challenge, or it was for me at least. The jungle seems to barely tolerate human invasion,
and in fact would be much happier if we allowed ourselves to be eaten. There are lots of things that try, with
variable degrees of success. Mosquito nets became my best friend. The onslaught of the local fauna and flora, in
tandem with the indispensable strict diet that the smiling, ruthless Shaman inflicts upon all participants, ensured
a fast-track destruction of my attachment to bodily comfort.
Still, the discomforts are negligible compared to the powerful magic of the Amazon. The place is charged with life
energy, an intensity that pushed my experience even further. The whole trip, from the moment I arrived to the last
goodbye hug, was an awesome, magical, exciting and delightful experience.
The events that I looked forward to the most, the Ayahuasca ceremonies, turned out to be the most challenging, both
physically and mentally. Eugene, the retreat leader for our group, was impeccable in his guidance throughout the
process. His selfless support and wise counsel were a gift of the heart, for me a teaching all in itself. There
were moments that transcend language. Ayahuasca took me to unfamiliar places, places without time or reason. It
has physical purge properties, whose intensity seemed to be proportional to the degree of resistance I put
up…somewhere, amidst the intense sensations, there is a process of personal change… and it seems to happen all by
itself, in the depth of our chemical composition, beyond our conscious control… all we can do is allow the change
to happen. At the heart of the retreat is the teaching to drop resistance. The Shaman’s knowledge of plants and
their healing properties was extensive. A true spiritual warrior and a very humble person, he is completely
committed to his path, and to healing all who come to him for help. The moment of the strongest breakthrough for
me was the third and final San Pedro experience, the last ceremony of our retreat. It was remarkable to feel the
difference between the two plant energies, and their gifts and teachings. That was one of the most delightful
and meaningful nights of my life. Eugene, thank you for sharing that amazing moment of spirit with me.
The whole experience has given me knowledge about myself, my life’s path, the way I relate to my body, and through
it, the world. For instance, I saw many areas of self-created resistance that have manifested in arthritis and
other infirmities. For me, one month was not enough to heal the stiff arthritic joints I have developed over many
years, and it was not the primary reason of participating in the retreat. But I did gain clear insight into the
steps to bring about my well-being, which I’ve begun to integrate into my life. I also saw unexplored potential
in my life, possibilities for my future that I have never previously allowed myself to consider.
My time in the jungle turned out to be an intricate part of my ongoing journey on the path of knowledge. I don’t
see it as a complete, separate event, ending after the plane flight home. The process, I feel, is continuing with
every step I take in daily life. I would recommend the SpiritPath retreats to anyone with a thirst for
self-knowledge and an interest in enlarging our potential of awareness and perception. Come with an open heart to
experience the magical aspect of your spirit.
- Januz
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Believe in what you preach...let your words manifest into reality. You are the difference! We all are. Set a good example
for others to follow. Smile often - it can change them...and never forget how lucky you are. We are all powerful beyond
belief...There is no need to fear this. Let's embrace it. Not tomorrow, but today. ''If not now then when? If not you, then who?''.
- Lady L.
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There are a lot of times in my life where it feels like I have been “driving with the emergency brake on.” Despite all kinds of workshops, therapies and spiritual disciplines, there has been some stubborn negativity that has been hard to release. I have known that this has been holding me back, and have released some to a certain degree through other modalities, but a lot remained.
The Ayahuasca ritual we did was like bringing out the “big guns” of healing. I felt the spirit of goddess lovingly supporting me through my journey, but she was also completely uncompromising. I spent a long time vomiting up acidity, as well as belief systems and thought forms that were not serving me. It was difficult, but worth it.
I know everyone’s experience is different, but mine was like the way I hear women describe child birth. There were many points where I felt like I could not continue, but having no choice, I did anyway. I learned a lot about the voice of “I can’t do it” as it left me, and what I am really capable of accomplishing with pure intention. There were points when I felt I was getting lost and I repeated the mantra “I am Love” to bring things back into focus, and ignore the disturbing emotions and illusions. I would suggest people remember that little tip when in the ritual.
The San Pedro was the perfect compliment. It was like the benevolent father energy guiding me through my experience and helping realize and take responsibility for my choices in life and that there is nothing to fear, there are just choices. Since there is only love, nothing can really be hurt, despite how it may feel. Presence is everything and San Pedro helped me reach a deeper, more consistent presence.
- Kevin B.
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Ayahuasca for me is definitely not a plant one should take lightly. It is a serious progression for those who are willing and ready to take a bold step into the spiritual dimension of life. In my own experience - being in the jungle, in a retreat environment allowed me to see deeper into myself and open up parts in me that i was unaware of, and yet that were controlling my everyday life. The process i found was one that can be seen similar to therapy, meditation, or any other practice that deals with the core of an issue. The speed and intensity however is far greater with Ayahuasca. After participating in such an event, one is likely to experience a shift in their vibration and a change in the "usual" flow of life. This occurs when the ego boundaries loosen under the guidance of the plant. For those that are on the warriors path or anyone who has truly had enough of living a life that is less then what they know it should be, Ahyuasca can be of great benefit!
- Raisa
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I have found what I came here for. It is beyond words, but a deep understanding of the inherent nature of our existance. Upon arrival Louis had to do much work to help me cleanse myself of the negative energies that I had accumulated that were blocking me from experiencing myself in my true light. It was the worst night of my life. It was only during this experience that I experienced a fear of death so powerful I trembled and cryed for the entirety of the next day. It was because I experienced the hell that I would have gone to had I died in that moment. A hell constructed of the lies I was believing in about the nature of our existance. We are conditioned to believe so many lies they infest our being in the form of this negative energy. In this experience I had blood pouring from my nose and pooling in my hands. Louis informed me the following day that this means I would experience a major triumph. I shuttered at the mear thought of drinking more ayahuaska but it was the only way. I began the diet of Ajo Sacha and the in the next session I was able to journey beyond where most reach (according to Louis). This was certainly not alone it was with the trust in his guidence and of course the support of all of creation. I think that this is essentialy a quantum leap. I believe this is the same jouney that we make through meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices but it is so rapid it is not easy, in fact the most difficult thing I have ever done and at points so seemingly painfully unbearable but I guess this is the cost of a quantum leap. I retrieved my light from the depths of my soul and carried it across the universe through all of this to bring it back here to share with all. I made this pilgramage for all of humankind. I cannot express the gratitude in my heart for your presence in my life. I know now that there is only love, everything else is a lie. Words are inadaquate and so primative but it is what I have to attempt sharing this experience with you from across the world. I know that you understand this journey that I made as you were such an integral part. That night in Boulder when I first met you, I was very ill and sobbing without any understanding of why. It was because you were the angel to bring me to Louis. I understand this now. Some part of my being must have known it then. I don't think I could have done this without you, and certainly not without Louis. I am eternaly in gratitude. I am completely in Love with Louis and Sarah and their magical santuary and I am planning to return in June. I have so much respect for your work and I will always recomend you and Spirit Path to anyone seemingly interested. With all of my heart, Kelly
- Kelly
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I went on a 2 week retreat last year. My only regret is that I was not able to stay longer than 2 weeks. I read a lot about Ayahuasca beforehand, and felt that I had been called to the Amazon for deep healing in areas of my life where nothing else had worked. I tried to let go of expectation but I guess that is never completely possible, and I held on to the hope and faith that some powerful transformation would happen, despite my doubts.
The transformation that happened was subtle but powerful. I had some incredibly powerful experiences with the plants which I cannot recreate with words, but each experience in itself was only temporary, the permanent transformation occuring "in the background" so to speak was much subtler. I also did a lot of healing work by attending the daily yoga classes, and having a lot of healing/bodywork.
The ayahuasca experiences themselves were amazing, some uncomfortable, some beautiful - the first Ayahuasca ceremony literally floored me. All I could do was pray for strength as I lay on the ground weakened by repeated bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea, and no visionary experiences whatsoever. At that point I wondered why the hell I paid money to put myself through that! But I perservered, and by the last session I was sensing other worldy beings of healing and protection whilst I conquered my deepest darkest spiritual and psychological fears head on, which caused a permanent shift in my perception of the world.
Eugene from SpiritPath was the key to my experience being so powerful. Only a personal opinion I know, but an authentic one. The only agenda he seemed to have was one of helping others in any way he could. He is truly the most unconditionally giving and inspirational person I have ever met. Not only was he constantly on hand tending to everyone's needs, but he is a pillar of knowledge and experience when it comes to Shamanism, healing, and transformation, and a very gifted healer himself. Without having someone so open, honest, non-judging, positive, and wise to share my experiences with I would not have been able to make sense of what was going on during my time there.
I didn't have any appreciation for the power of the transformation I experienced until I was back home in the UK. The whole trip was a catalyst for the ongoing transformation to unfold once I was back home, which is what it's really about about as far as I am concerned. Upon my return to England, I continued to experience subtle but powerful shifts whilst settling back into daily life, Eugene was still there for me, calling me from the USA at his own expense to check how things were going, and guide me on my new path.
There are plenty of organisations offering Ayahuasca retreats in South America, so check them all out and go with who you are most comfortable with. I have no experience of other organisations as this is the only time I have been. But I did check many out many retreats before booking and I chose this one because I felt it offered the most value for money, incorporating the yoga, bodywork and healing (that I was keen on) plus many other methods of healing/transformation/liberation you may be interested in not offered by any of the others I found.
I would recommend if you decide to go, the longer you can stay the better. I was blown away by my 2 week experience, and I plan to go back to Peru with SpiritPath - but this time for a month - in 2009.
I know I may sound to some people like I've been brainwashed - and to be honest I feel like I have too, which is a good thing - my brain was defnitely long overdue a good rinse, and that is exactly what it got!! I didn't realise how cynical I was until I felt it lifting whilst I was out in the jungle in Peru....
I hope this is of some use to people who read it. All the best on your journeys.
Much love
- Tim
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The Ayahausca Retreat on the Rio Nanay was invaluable. I could say it was “transformative” or “life-changing”. This would be true as well although those words might seem cliché. I went on the Peru retreat with high intentions -- I had a specific result I wanted to produce. The stakes were high for me, personally, and so my commitment kept me focused, determined, seriously engaged and prepared to “do battle with the devil” if that’s what it took. By the end of the three-week retreat I had not realized the intended results. Along the way, however, I engaged with some very remarkable people, worked with great (that should be GREAT) genuinely caring facilitators, participated in a straight-forward and honestly executed retreat environment, had powerful purging experiences, had some memorable visions, had several direct experiences that sent me “outside the box” of my previous life history … and more. As to the “intention” I set for myself? A full three weeks after returning stateside I woke up one morning and, in a moment of perfect clarity, discovered my intention had been realized, evaporated, resolved. You can call it just a quirk of fate. I call it ayahuasca at work. Thanks to the integrity of the facilitating maestros and the compassionate wisdom and guidance from Eugene, my experience of life will never be the same in subtle yet profound ways. I am immensely grateful for the experience.
- Ken H.
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